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How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 11:58:40 AM
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stellaluna
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and what do you believe your responsibility to be to them as a Christian?
I'm asking because I sometimes get the feeling from posters here that they spend zero or next to zero time with anyone who isn't a Christian. And I sometimes get the feeling we are speaking two different languages.
For me, I spend eight hours a day with a half dozen people who are not Christian and think Christians, for the most part, are hypocrites. The vast majority of my friends are not Christian. They believe, for the most part, that Christians are hypocrites. (Yes there's a pattern here.)
Before anyone goes jumping on me about being "unequally yoked" or whatever, remember that there must be Christians willing to walk into places that are void of faith. I guess I'm one of them, because I find myself in a lot of positions to defend Christianity to people who look at me and don't think I'm Christian. I guess it's a gift.  And let me also reveal a bit about myself and say that when I met up with this group of friends 10+ years ago, I was not walking the walk. I came back to the faith little by little and finally arrived back in the fold, but I haven't felt that God wants me to break ties all together with this group. (Even though they make me crazy and angry and frustrated and all that.) I'm not the only Christian, there are a few of us and we did even see a mini-revival in our crew about four years ago. Sadly, it was a revival that was derailed by a couple of suicides and we lost the momentum we gained and even had to step back a good distance and regroup.
Anyway, I'm just wondering what the consensus is on spending time and building relationships with those who need Jesus versus those who already know Him.
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Who should be allowed to attend church?
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 12:07:25 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 2034
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From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
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Unless you count strangers in Wal-Mart or working a community outreach with our church....... zero.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 12:10:57 PM
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GroupW
Posts: 2911
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For us it's about 50/50. We have our "invite our pagan friends over for dinner" ministry. We have a lot of non-Christian friends that are over at our house regularly to be fed & watered. Somehow, even if we try to avoid it, the discussion ALWAYS drifts into the spiritual.
So far it just seems to be what we're called for. We have our church friends for support & to provide a stable foundation but we make sure that we're out there nose to nose with our non-Christian friends as well.
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“For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant and wrong.” -H.L. Mencken
"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so." -Bertrand Russell
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 12:12:41 PM
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stellaluna
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quote:
ORIGINAL: GroupW
We have our "invite our pagan friends over for dinner" ministry.
That made me laugh out loud.
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Who should be allowed to attend church?
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 12:27:16 PM
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CoeurdeLeon
Posts: 9500
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I work with 2 Christian women, the rest are non. The other people I see on a sporadic basis are parents of the kids my kids are on teams with. I have no idea what their spiritual state is.
My job is to be what I say I am. Without saying it.
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This morning I was awakened by the sound of purple
colliding with the fragrance of laughter.
Eutychus
10.13.08
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 12:30:42 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 4259
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I tried to find a biblical reference for Christians to coccoon themselves or sequester their families into a bubble like existance and couldn't.
However, I did find some reference to "go out" and so forth. I did find some reference to serving and loving your enemies.
My closest friends are Christian for sure - being like-minded, etc. But I have many friends and neighbors who are not. If I'm growing to be more like Christ, then my heart will continue to be burdened for those far from God. And I can't meet them by not going outside my Christian box.
So...I suppose I spend about a third of my time with "those who are far from God."
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 12:33:57 PM
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GroupW
Posts: 2911
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Lioness - You're a book fan. There's a book I keep pitching here by Rodney Stark on the rise of christianity. His basic argument is that the early church grew at about the same pace as some other faiths (mormons particularly).
That part of the book doesn't thrill me much, but then he goes into the reasons for the early church's growth and why other vibrant movements follow the high growth patterns that we observe.
His answer? Involvement in other people's lives and living out the tenets of our faith in ways that directly impact individuals. A big example for him was the way Christians stood in front of the bus in Rome during periods of disease. They put themselves at risk ministering to the sick and dying when most everyone else was heading for the hills. He thinks this was responsible for much of the vibrancy we observe in the early days of the faith.
A good thought to ponder.
_____________________________
“For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant and wrong.” -H.L. Mencken
"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so." -Bertrand Russell
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 12:35:14 PM
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doinkdom
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quote:
ORIGINAL: GroupW
We have our "invite our pagan friends over for dinner" ministry.
 We call it Friday nights for Jesus!
We invite people we meet during the week or wherever over for dinner or dessert and games or whatever. We do not bring up spiritual matters (unless they do) we just get to know one another better.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 12:38:28 PM
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GroupW
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Yours has a shorter name. Same concept though. I think it really helps bring my faith alive. It helps me more than it does my friends.
_____________________________
“For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant and wrong.” -H.L. Mencken
"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so." -Bertrand Russell
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 12:43:12 PM
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iamjc-s
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Jesus said He did not come for the well but the sick.
I have 4 friends of which atleast 2 are not only not Christian but also have significant others.
I pray I have been & am being a possitive witness to them, by letting God's love & light & peace shine through me.
I only have 3 Christian friends, because unfortunatly their harder to make friends with.
Sundays Mom & I spend 2hrs in church then next hour with non-Christian friends, after being fed spiritually.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 12:55:28 PM
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TorchHeart
Posts: 1497
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It depends on the week. I have friends who are non-Christian. One of my best friends is an agnostic who had some very bad experiences with his church. I've learned not to bring religion up unless he brings it up first. Sometimes all you can do is pray for people like that, and show them that not all Christians are judgemental, hostile, arrogant, or whatever other misconception that they might have.
If you treat people the way you would want to be treated, they're a lot more apt to listen to you. Hence, I'm one of the few people who can tollerate my friends rants on religions, yet still be able to talk to him about it on an intellegent level and help him see the Christian's side of things.
One day, maybe it will bring him back.
Also, I'm a very public figure where I live. I have to be around all kinds of people, and that includes atheists, agnostics, Muslims, Jews, and people of other faiths. Its part of why I've learned to keep my faith inside (which is how I prefer it, anyway) and save it for when the time is more appropriate.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 1:03:06 PM
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1love1God1way
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Unfortunately, living at a Bible college studying ministry, I get pretty wrapped up in a Christian bubble. I work at youth groups, so there are non-Christians that attend that, but the majority are believers still.
As far as non-Christian friends, when I moved away, I left them behind (physically), and because of the bubble that is created living on a Bible college campus, it's tough.
So, to answer the question. . . not very much. And I do regret it.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 1:09:44 PM
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GroupW
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To everything there is a time and a season .....
_____________________________
“For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant and wrong.” -H.L. Mencken
"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so." -Bertrand Russell
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 1:10:15 PM
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margieb711
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Because I only recently became Christian (raised Catholic, walked away for 10 years) I still have a lot of non-Christian friends. The friends whom I consider those I can talk to about anything are Christians. They have spirituality, they don't go to church because of physical reasons. I can talk to them about anything concerning Christianity and they don't brush me off. Most of my other friends thought I would turn into a prude, tell them how to live their lives, be a Bible thumper, etc. What kind of Christian would I be if I told someone else how to live their life? I have a hard enough time trying to be a Christian in my own life.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 1:26:39 PM
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Sideways
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
and what do you believe your responsibility to be to them as a Christian?
Well, when I was a career woman I spent every work day with non-Christians. These days it's mommy groups and the like.
I'm struggling with this area a lot, as they are pretty open about their apathy towards religion of any kind, and I am not a very confident evangelist. It's an area I want to improve on.
One of my mommy group friends just lost a baby at 26 weeks pregnant, and I am trying to reach out with help and comfort, but I feel lost about how to actually reach her.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 2:08:45 PM
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stellaluna
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I struggle, too, so I'm glad you posted that Sideways. A situation about a year ago has forced me to have to "turn the other cheek" a lot...and it's wearing on me. Also, general life changes are drawing me away from some of the people I'm accustomed to spending a lot of time with and that causes conflict in its own way. But I feel responsible to continue to build relationships or attempt to...somehow...even if it's via the phone or internet or whatever.
AND...there are some new people who are coming around who are not just apathetic about religion, but vocally against it all together and that throws a wrench in the works.
It can be tiring.
_____________________________
Who should be allowed to attend church?
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 3:04:21 PM
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mvic
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In the UK religion is kept very much as a personal matter. Not often discussed at work or amongst friends.
For example, if a politician announced that he is a Christian, he would most likely lose votes at the election. If asked directly, the chances are he would avoid the question, saying something like "My beliefs are personal etc ... etc ... "
Thankfully, not all politicians are like that. Some have stood out and said plainly they are Christians.
The same applies for celebrities, sports personalities etc ... Few stand out and declare their Christian beliefs.
So to answer your question: One might spend time with non-Christians; but rarely discuss Christianity or religion.
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Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 5:02:52 PM
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PureLight
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My amount of time with them has been decreasing since I'm more at home often unless my friends from church come and pick me up to hang out but when I do hang out with non-Christians, it's well known that I'm a Christian and I do my best to live up to that name. A friend's birthday was last night and I mentioned I was a born-again Christian while talking about a game (Spore is amazing. @_@ ) and one of the people there was like, how are you born again? And I wanted to go into it but alas, other non-Christian friends were like, no don't get into it please too complicated ugh.
Most people don't like talking about it.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 5:25:06 PM
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Roberta_
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I live in a house with a dd who is struggling with her faith, my unsaved sister and her family (all non-Christians) and a friend of hers who is also unsaved. There are a total of seven of us living here. The only time that I am around other Christians is at church or on the rare occassion that I go visit my mom.
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 5:58:03 PM
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zamdad
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I spend most of my time with non Christians. As some of you know, I recently changed jobs. When I worked as a probation officer, only a couple of co-workers were Christian. Therer were a couple of others who called themselves Christian, attended church regularly, but nothing else about them exuded Christ.
Currently I work as a police officer. MOst of the officers I work with are not Christians. But, because I work in a small town, I am the only officer on during the shift. I come into contact with numerous people all day long.
In both professions, I feel that God called me to serve Him by serving the people I interact with on a daily basis.
I had a conversation about this same topic with a former pastor. It was his opinion that most in full time ministry were unable to relate to what was going on in the community because they were, esentially, isolated from the community. They did not get into the trenches and see how others live in an environment where they were not invited or expected.
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“A dead thing goes with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.”
G.K. Chesterton
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 6:52:39 PM
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SavedByGraceMD
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Does work count. If so, then 36-48 hours a week there.
If not then every day of my life since my brother and father are not yet believers.
Other than work and family, I would say not too often. My friends who I don't see anymore are not believers. I spend most of my free time home with my family. So there is not much to say here.
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Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God,
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
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RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/25/2008 7:06:30 PM
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GroupW
Posts: 2911
Joined: 11/16/2007
From: Up in the hills of Colorado (very BIG hills...)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SavedByGraceMD
I spend most of my free time home with my family. So there is not much to say here.
MD's have free time?
_____________________________
“For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant and wrong.” -H.L. Mencken
"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so." -Bertrand Russell
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